Genre
Historical Fiction/LGBTQ+
Setting and Context
In Barwick in Northamptonshire, United Kingdom during the Margaret Thatcher era, in which Conservative politics reigned supreme.
Narrator and Point of View
The Line of Beauty is told from a third-person point of view.
Tone and Mood
Hollinghurst's novel is reflective, sad, brutal, and relentless.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Nick Guest is the protagonist and homophobic, regressive people (embodied by the Fedden family) is the antagonist
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel revolves around Nick's struggle to reconcile his sexuality with the Conservative politicians (and ideology) around me.
Climax
When Nick finally gets tested for AIDS and is awaiting his results.
Foreshadowing
Nick eventually testing positive for AIDS is foreshadowed by his interactions with his friends, many of whom tested positive for AIDS
Understatement
Nick's quiet courageousness is understated throughout the novel. He makes small decisions to speak up and fight for what is right in spite of seemingly insurmountable pressure from detractors.
Allusions
There are countless allusions to historical events, politics, and other popular culture, including LGBTQ novels.
Imagery
There is very stark imagery the underscores the severity of the HIV/AIDS crisis, showing dead and dying people who suffered (or are suffering) from the horrific illness.
Paradox
Conservatives claim to support people, but don't support (and are homophobic to) gay people.
Parallelism
Nick's story, and the story of many other gay people suffering with HIV/AIDS, are paralleled to each other.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Not applicable.
Personification
The Conservative party, led by Margaret Thatcher, is personified in the novel and given characteristics of a behemoth-like person.
